Highlights
- City Council voted unanimously to restore a relationship with Citizen Advisory Councils (CACs) to include free monthly access to meeting rooms, provision of technology to support virtual meetings, and support for capability building for future leaders
- At the start of the meeting, Mayor Baldwin read a statement announcing that Council will not vote on a resolution regarding the situation in the Middle East, while acknowledging pain and suffering on all sides, and affirming the need to bring our local community together for healing.
- Unanimously approved Letter of Support for naming I440 interchange at New Bern Avenue in honor of Coach George Williams, St. Augustine’s University
- Prioritizing spending of remaining $1.35M in General Capital Reserves will be held for discussion until after the results of the Economic Development Study
- Unanimously approved authorization of Text Changes in support of the Stormwater Design Manual update.
- Public meetings will be held on 2/27 and 3/4 to get community feedback about the proposal for a Municipal Service District along the Blue Ridge Road corridor. Staff estimates a property tax increase of $.0302 per $100 valuation would be necessary to fund the proposed budget but questions were raised about whether all the services were needed in that area and whether or not apartment complexes should be included.
- Unanimously approved contracts for the John Chavis Memorial Park Phase II Aquatics Facility and Heritage Plaza improvements
- Unanimously approved $700k gap financing and option to purchase real estate in support of The Cottages of Idlewild Affordable Housing Project. Groundbreaking is anticipated in May.
- The Growth & Natural Resources Committee recommended approval of Downtown Transition Areas for the portion north of Peace Street but not the properties south of Peace Street; this will come back as a special item on 2/20
- The Transit & Transportation Committee will meet on 2/22 at 3pm in Council Chambers. No other Council Committees are scheduled to meet in February
- Mayor Pro Tem Melton requested $5k for “No woman, no girl” — a nonprofit seeking to open a free pantry with period products
- Councilor Patton’s next Town Hall will be on 2/22 at Marsh Creek and will focus on constituent services
- Councilor Black will hold a Town Hall on housing next month at the Green Road Community Center
- Councilor Branch’s next district meeting will be 2/17 at 10am at 1214 E. Lenoir Street
- Councilor Jones introduced the motion about CACs
- Councilor Forte asked that City and County staff work out a solution to the confusion about county appointments to City Boards and Commissions
- Councilor Harrison announced the next DDNA (District D Neighborhood Alliance) will be 2/17 at 9:30am at Carolina Pines Community Center to discuss pedestrian and bike infrastructure. She also asked for a Manager’s Report on how Council could support House Bill 198 which deals with financing of pedestrian and bike infrastructure.
- Rezoning Z-84-21: Millbrook Road, on the north and south sides, 300 feet east of Six Forks Road (District A) — approved 6 to 2 with Councilors Black and Patton in opposition
- Rezoning Z-72-22: S Blount Street, north of E Cabarrus Street (District C)– continued to 4/2 to allow continued conversations with RHDC
- Rezoning Z-35-23: 0 Gorman Street, 0.27 mi south of the intersection of Gorman Street and Avent Ferry Road and west of the intersection of Gorman Street and Shire Lane (District D) — continued to 3/19 at applicant’s request to further discuss environmental issues
- Rezoning Z-44-23: 4430 Louisburg Road, 4429 James Road; west of the intersection of Louisburg and James Roads (District B) — approved unanimously
- Rezoning Z-45-23: 1025 Schaub Drive, less than 1/4 mile southeast of the intersection of Western Boulevard and the I-440 Beltline (District D) — approved 7 to 1 with Councilor Black dissenting
- Rezoning TCZ-49-23: A portion of 1421 Old Watkins Road, north of Old Watkins Road (District B) — approved unanimously
A. 1:00 P.M. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR
1. Pledge of Allegiance
B. CONSENT AGENDA
- All details at end of this document
- Unanimously approved
K. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
1. Planning Commission Report
https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/raleigh/Board.nsf/files/D27Q2D5F6ED4/$file/20240206ReportofPC.pdf
The following items are scheduled for public hearing at the City Council Meeting on February 20, 2024 at 1pm
- Rezoning Z-33-23: Portion of 3206 Old Buffaloe Road
The following items are scheduled for public hearing at the City Council Meeting on March 05, 2024 at 7pm
- Rezoning Z-92-22: New Bern Station Area Planning, 744 properties along New Bern Avenue between Downtown and Hedingham Boulevard / Freedom Drive (Districts B & C) (Held open from January 30 special meeting)
- Rezoning Z-28-23: 3725 Harden Road (District E)
2. Rezoning Z-36-23: 1230 & 1234 South Saunders Street, west of the intersection of South Saunders Street and Prospect Avenue (District D) — will wait until 2/20 to schedule the public hearing
3. Rezoning Z-39-23: On the east side of Nowell Road, approximately 0.2 miles north of Chapel Hill Road (District D) — scheduled for March 19
4. Rezoning Z-41-23: Portions of 8301 & 8317 Buffaloe Road, approximately 1/2 mile east of the intersection of Old Crews and Buffaloe Roads (District B) — scheduled for March 19
5. Rezoning Z-50-23: Varsity Drive, west of the intersection of Varsity Drive and Avent Ferry Road (District D) — will wait until 2/20 to schedule the public hearing
L. SPECIAL ITEMS
1. Letter of Support – NCDOT Request – Naming of I440 Interchange at New Bern Avenue – Coach George Williams, Saint Augustine’s University
- Unanimously approved
2. General Capital Reserves – Prioritization Follow Up
- Prioritization of $1.35M in General Capital Reserves will be held for discussion until after the results of the Economic Development Study
3. Stormwater Design Manual Update – Authorize UDO Text Change Process
- Unanimously approved and Councilor Patton asked for more frequent updates since it has been more than 20 years since the last update; staff says updates will now occur every 5 years
4. Municipal Service District Report – Blue Ridge Corridor
https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/raleigh/Board.nsf/files/D27Q7C605EE1/$file/02062024BMSBlueRidgeMSD.pdf
- Public meetings will be held on 2/27 and 3/4 to get community feedback about the proposal for a Municipal Service District along the Blue Ridge Road corridor. Staff estimates a property tax increase of $.0302 per $100 valuation would be necessary to fund the proposed budget but questions were raised about whether all the services were needed in that area and whether or not apartment complexes should be included.
M. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER
1. Professional Services – John Chavis Memorial Park Phase II Aquatics Facility & Heritage Plaza Improvements – Design Services – Evoke Studio Architecture, PLLC
- Unanimously approved
2. Professional Services – John Chavis Memorial Park Phase II (Aquatics Facility & Heritage Plaza Improvements) – Construction Manager at Risk Services – Barnhill/Holt Brothers Construction, A Joint Venture Partnership
- Unanimously approved
3. Affordable Housing – Option to Purchase Real Estate and Gap Funding Recommendation – The Cottages of Idlewild Affordable Housing Project
- Unanimously approved $700k gap financing and option to purchase real estate in support of The Cottages of Idlewild Affordable Housing Project. Groundbreaking is anticipated in May.
N. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION COMMITTEE
1. No Report
2. Items Pending
- No meeting in February
O. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE GROWTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
1. Rezoning Z-35-23 — 0 Gorman Street (District D)
- Reported out with no recommendation but expressed concerns about environmental impacts. The public hearing is scheduled for tonight but will probably be held to allow for more conditions to be offered.
2. Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-4-23 – Downtown Transition Areas (District D)
- Recommended approval of the portion north of Peace Street but not the properties south of Peace Street; this will come back as a special item on 2/20
3. Items Pending
- No meeting in February
P. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE SAFE, VIBRANT AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
1. Downtown Public Safety Update — reported out with no recommendations
2. Items Pending
- No meeting in February
Q. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT COMMITTEE
1. New Bern Avenue Corridor – Community Supportive Projects and Programs Update — reported out with no recommendation
2. Bicycle and Mobility Plan Update — reported out with no recommendation
3. Items Pending
- Will meet on 2/22 at 3pm to discuss Z-28-23
R. REPORT FROM THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
1. Individual Reports from the Mayor and Council Members
- Mayor Pro Tem Melton requested $5k for “No woman, no girl” — a nonprofit seeking to open a free pantry with period products
- Councilor Patton’s next Town Hall will be on 2/22 at Marsh Creek and will focus on constituent services
- Councilor Black will hold a Town Hall on housing next month at the Green Road Community Center
- Councilor Branch’s next district meeting will be 2/17 at 10am at 1214 E. Lenoir Street
- Councilor Jones introduced the motion about CACs
- Councilor Forte asked that City and County staff work out a solution to the confusion about county appointments to City Boards and Commissions
- Councilor Harrison announced the next DDNA (District D Neighborhood Alliance) will be 2/17 at 9:30am at Carolina Pines Community Center to discuss pedestrian and bike infrastructure. She also asked for a Manager’s Report on how Council could support House Bill 198 which deals with financing of pedestrian and bike infrastructure.
- Mayor Baldwin requested $10k for United Arts
S. APPOINTMENTS
1. Civil Service Commission – Employee Election Results
2. Appearance Commission – Two Alternate Vacancies
3. Fair Housing Hearing Board – One Regular Vacancy
4. Police Advisory Board – One Regular Vacancy (At-Large)
5. Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Centers Authority – One Regular Vacancy
6. Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority – One Regular Vacancy
7. Raleigh Sister Cities – One Regular Vacancy
8. Stormwater Management Advisory Commission – Two Regular Vacancies
9. Substance Use Advisory Commission – One Regular Vacancy
T. NOMINATIONS
1. Arts Commission – One Regular Vacancy
2. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission – One Regular Vacancy (Disability Slot)
3. Human Relations Commission – One Regular Vacancy (Youth Slot)
4. Human Relations Commission – Two Regular Vacancies
5. Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board – Two Regular Vacancies
6. Raleigh Historic Development Commission – One Regular Vacancy
7. Substance Use Advisory Commission – One Regular Vacancy
U. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
V. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY CLERK
1. Minutes
W. CLOSED SESSION
1. Enter into Closed Session
X. OPEN SESSION
1. Return to Open Session
2. Recess Meeting
Y. 7:00 P.M. EVENING AGENDA
Z. MATTERS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING
1. Rezoning Z-84-21: Millbrook Road, on the north and south sides, 300 feet east of Six Forks Road (District A)
- Approved 6 to 2 with Councilors Black and Patton in opposition. Concerns with potential loss of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing and with the overall zoning process
2. Rezoning Z-72-22: S Blount Street, north of E Cabarrus Street (District C)
- Continued until 4/2 to work on issues with RHDC as this property is in the Prince Hall Historic Overlay District
3. Rezoning Z-35-23: 0 Gorman Street, 0.27 mi south of the intersection of Gorman Street and Avent Ferry Road and west of the intersection of Gorman Street and Shire Lane (District D)
- Continued to 3/19 as applicants wants more time to address environmental issues
4. Rezoning Z-44-23: 4430 Louisburg Road, 4429 James Road; west of the intersection of Louisburg and James Roads (District B)
- Approved unanimously
5. Rezoning Z-45-23: 1025 Schaub Drive, less than 1/4 mile southeast of the intersection of Western Boulevard and the I-440 Beltline (District D)
- Approved 7 to 1 with Councilor Black in opposition. Issues around Affordable Housing entitlements and confusion around TOD and FTDO.
6. Rezoning TCZ-49-23: A portion of 1421 Old Watkins Road, north of Old Watkins Road (District B)
- Approved unanimously
AA. ADJOURNMENT
Adjourn Meeting
B. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Consent Agenda Process
2. City Code of Ordinances – Solid Waste Services – Revisions to Part 7
3. Report – Matters Resolved and Closed
C. CONSENT AGENDA – PETITION ANNEXATIONS
1. Petition Annexation- AX-35-23- Contiguous inside ETJ – 914 Dowling Road (District C)
D. CONSENT AGENDA – GRANTS
1. Grant Award – Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant
2. Grant Application – North Carolina Land and Water Fund – Pigeon House Branch Restoration – Smoky Hollow Park Project
E. CONSENT AGENDA – EASEMENTS
1. Easement Request – 600 Glenbrook Drive and 514 Glenbrook Drive – Duke Energy Progress, LLC
F. CONSENT AGENDA – CONTRACTS AND CONSULTANT SERVICES
1. Interlocal Agreement – Mutual Aid Agreement for Potable Water Service – City of Durham
2. Purchase Contract – Purchase of Nitrogen Allocation – International Paper Company
3. Professional Services – John P. “Top” Greene Center Improvements Project – Design Services – HH Architecture, P.A.
4. Professional Services – Method Road Community Center Improvements –Design Services – Clark Nexsen, Inc.
5. Professional Services Tarboro Road Community Center Redevelopment Project – Design Services – HH Architecture, P.A.
6. Professional Services – New Bern Ave BRT Project Construction Administration, Engineering and Inspection Services– RK&K
7. Professional Services – Master Services Agreement for On-Call Engineering Services – Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. – Amendment No. Three
8. Professional Services – Master Services Agreement for On-Call Stormwater Engineering Services – WK Dickson & Company, Inc., – Amendment No. Four
9. Contract Services– On-Call Biosolids/Residuals Transportation and Land Application – Granville Farms, Inc. and Puryear Transport, Inc.
G. CONSENT AGENDA – STREET CLOSING REQUESTS
1. Street Closing STC-04-2023: Portion of Fairview Road
H. CONSENT AGENDA – BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND TRANSFERS
1. FY24 Mid-Year Grant and Project Ordinance
I. CONSENT AGENDA – BIDS
1. Bid Award – Lake Boone Trail Safety Improvement Project – FSC II, LLC dba Fred Smith Company
2. Bid Award – Bus Shelter Improvements – Browe Construction Company
J. CONSENT AGENDA – TRAFFIC
1. Speed Limit Reductions
2. Multi-way Stops
3. No Parking Zone – Line of Sight – Dixie Trail
4. No Parking Zone – 3400 Ruffin Street
5. No Stopping No Standing Zone – Skylark Way
6. Traffic Schedule Updates